US singer R. Kelly no longer performing at Mandela Day concert.

American singer R Kelly will most likely not be performing at the Nelson Mandela Sport and Culture Day on 17 August in at the FNB stadium..

This has transpired from a statement by the Department of Arts and Culture which today, 15 August, apologised for the “unfortunate situation” around the performance of R.Kelly and says it is seeking legal advice on the matter.

On Monday this week the Minister of Arts and Culture, Paul Mashatile, announced that R. Kelly will be one of the artists in the lineup at the music concert . The concert will take place after a rugby and a soccer match.

In its statement today the department said negotiations and contracts were entered into with the local promoter of the recent R. Kelly Tour in South Africa. “On the basis of this agreement, we announced that the visiting American star was on the bill for the Mandela Day music concert.

“Soon afterwards the department learned that R. Kelly’s management had not been made aware of this agreement and the singer had left the country as planned.”

R. Kelly had been on tour in South Africa. He performed at two concerts in Durban and Soweto on Thursday and Saturday.

The department said it was taking legal advice on the matter. “We apologise to R. Kelly’s many South African fans for this unfortunate situation. We remain confident that our current line-up will do justice to Madiba’s legacy of peace, unity and reconciliation.

“We also know that R. Kelly remains a firm supporter of the Nelson Mandela Sport & Culture Day and the Unite campaign,” the statement added.